ACLU asks US Supreme Court to hear appeal on Va’s ban on alcohol ads in college newspapers

ACLU asks Supreme Court to hear Va alcohol ad ban

RICHMOND, Va. — The ACLU of Virginia is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a federal appeals court ruling that bans alcohol advertising in Virginia’s college newspapers.

In a 2-1 ruling in April, the 4th U.S. District Court of Appeals concluded that the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission ban is a minimally restrictive approach to combat problem drinking.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a petition on Monday asking the high court to review the ruling, saying a ban on truthful advertising is only constitutional if it advances “important societal goals.”

ACLU legal director Rebecca Glenberg said the ban doesn’t meet that standard because there is no evidence that banning the ads diminishes underage or binge drinking on campus.